Methods, systems, and media for providing video content suitable for audio-only playback

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and media for selecting content to be presented are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: receiving a request for a first video content item from a user device; receiving an indication that the user device is in a background playback mode; determining that the first video content item is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on one or more properties of audio data; based on the determining that the first video content item is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode, selecting a second video content item that is suitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on the one or more properties of the audio data of the second video content item; and in response to selecting the second video content item, causing the second video content item to be presented by the user device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/876,425, filed May 18, 2020, which is continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/820,233, filed Aug. 6, 2015, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to methods, systems, and media forproviding video content suitable for audio-only playback.

BACKGROUND

Content sources, such as video hosting services, provide users with theopportunity to view content, such as video content. Some of this videocontent includes music or other audio that may be appreciated separatelyfrom the visual content of the video. However, if a content source wereto provide content for audio-only playback, some of the content may notbe enjoyable to a user. This may lead to users becoming dissatisfiedwith the content sources provision of audio-only playback and frequentskipping of content that the user finds to be unenjoyable.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods, systems, and media forproviding video content suitable for audio-only playback.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,methods, systems, and media for providing video content suitable foraudio-only playback are provided.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, amethod for selecting content to be presented is provided, the methodcomprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, a request for a firstvideo content item from a user device; receiving an indication that theuser device is currently in a background playback mode; determining thatthe first video content item is not suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode based on one or more properties of audio dataof the first video content item; based on the determining that the firstvideo content item is not suitable for presentation in the backgroundplayback mode, selecting a second video content item that is suitablefor presentation in the background playback mode, wherein the secondvideo content item has been determined to be suitable for presentationin the background playback mode based on the one or more properties ofthe audio data of the second video content item; and in response toselecting the second video content item, causing the second videocontent item to be presented by the user device.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, asystem for selecting content to be presented is provided, the systemcomprising: a hardware processor that is programmed to: receive arequest for a first video content item from a user device; receive anindication that the user device is currently in a background playbackmode; determine that the first video content item is not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode based on one or moreproperties of audio data of the first video content item; based on thedetermining that the first video content item is not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode, select a second videocontent item that is suitable for presentation in the backgroundplayback mode, wherein the second video content item has been determinedto be suitable for presentation in the background playback mode based onthe one or more properties of the audio data of the second video contentitem; and in response to selecting the second video content item, causethe second video content item to be presented by the user device.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, anon-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method for selecting content to be presented is provided, themethod comprising: receiving a request for a first video content itemfrom a user device; receiving an indication that the user device iscurrently in a background playback mode; determining that the firstvideo content item is not suitable for presentation in the backgroundplayback mode based on one or more properties of audio data of the firstvideo content item; based on the determining that the first videocontent item is not suitable for presentation in the background playbackmode, selecting a second video content item that is suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode, wherein the second videocontent item has been determined to be suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode based on the one or more properties of theaudio data of the second video content item; and in response toselecting the second video content item, causing the second videocontent item to be presented by the user device.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, asystem for selecting content to be presented is provided, the systemcomprising: means for receiving a request for a first video content itemfrom a user device; means for receiving an indication that the userdevice is currently in a background playback mode; means for determiningthat the first video content item is not suitable for presentation inthe background playback mode based on one or more properties of audiodata of the first video content item; means for based on the determiningthat the first video content item is not suitable for presentation inthe background playback mode, selecting a second video content item thatis suitable for presentation in the background playback mode, whereinthe second video content item has been determined to be suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode based on the one or moreproperties of the audio data of the second video content item; and meansfor causing the second video content item to be presented by the userdevice responsive to the means for selecting the second video contentitem.

In some embodiments, in the background playback mode the user devicepresents audio data of video content items while presentation of videodata of the video content item is inhibited.

In some embodiments, the means for determining that the first video isnot suitable for presentation is utilized prior to receiving the requestfor the first video content item, and wherein the system furthercomprises: means for setting a flag associated with the first videocontent item indicating that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode; means fordetermining that the first video content item is not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode based on the flag; andwherein the means for selecting the second video is responsive to theflag indicating that the first video content item is not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode.

In some embodiments, the means for determining that the first videocontent item is not suitable for presentation in the background playbackmode comprises: means for determining a proportion of the audio data ofthe first video content item that does not include music; means fordetermining a proportion of users that skipped the first video contentitem when the users were presented with the first video content item inthe background playback mode; and means for determining that the firstvideo content item is not suitable for presentation in the backgroundplayback mode based on at least the proportion of the audio data of thefirst video content item that does not include music and the proportionof users that skipped the first video content item.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises, means for causing auser associated with the first video content item to be notified thatthe first video content item is not suitable for background playbackresponsive to the means for determining that the first video contentitem is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: means for determiningthat an end portion of the second video content item includes no music;and means for causing the user device to skip presentation of the endportion that includes no music.

In some embodiments, the request for the first video content item is arequest for a next video content item in a playlist of video contentitems, and wherein the second video content item is the next videocontent item in the playlist after the first video content item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subjectmatter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconnection with the following drawings, in which like reference numeralsidentify like elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a generalized schematic diagram of a systemon which the mechanisms for providing video content suitable foraudio-only playback as described herein can be implemented in accordancewith some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 shows an example of hardware that can be used to implement one ormore user devices and servers depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a process for providing video contentsuitable for audio-only playback in accordance with some embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a process for determining if a content itemis suitable for background playback in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a data flow that can be used in conjunctionwith the processes described above in connection with FIGS. 3 and/or 4in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of user interfaces for presenting acontent item and associated information in a background playback mode inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with various embodiments, mechanisms (which can includemethods, systems, and/or media) for providing video content suitable foraudio-only playback are provided.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can receive arequest for one or more content items, such as videos, and/or any othersuitable content items, from a user device. In some embodiments, thesecontent items can be include audio data and visual data (e.g., imagedata and/or video data). For example, the mechanisms described hereincan be associated with a video hosting service, and the request for oneor more content items can be a request for a particular video receivedfrom a smartphone.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can determine thatthe user device requesting the content is in a background playback modein which the audio data included in the content item is to be presented,but the visual data of the content item is either inhibited from beingpresented or is unlikely to be viewed by a user even if it were to bepresented. For example, a smartphone that is requesting the content canbe executing a video player application that, when executed by thesmartphone can present audio and video data of a video content item. Insuch an example, the smartphone can be in a background playback modewhen the video player application is minimized, and can be configured topresent only the audio data of video content items that are to bepresented.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can determine ifthe requested content items are suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode. The mechanisms can evaluate any suitableproperties of the one or more content items to determine whether the oneor more content items are suitable for presentation in backgroundplayback mode, such as the presence or absence of a lengthy introduction(e.g., dialogue) to the content item before music starts, the presenceor absence of periods of silence or only noise, the presence of periodsof dialogue, the audio quality of the content item, repetitiveness inthe audio data (e.g., where the audio data is unvaried over a relativelylarge portion of the content item), etc. For example, if the particularvideo requested by the smartphone includes a long silence at the end(e.g., with visual information and/or user interface elements promptinga user to subscribe to content from a user associated with theparticular video) and/or the audio data is of poor quality, themechanisms described herein can determine that the particular video isnot suitable for background playback.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can respond to therequest for a particular content item with a different content item thatis suitable for presentation in the background playback mode when theparticular content item is determined to be not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode. For example, if themechanisms described herein determine that the particular videorequested by the smartphone is not suitable for background playback, themechanisms described herein can respond to the request with a substitutevideo. The substitute video can be a next video in a playlist of videosthat the smartphone was requesting videos from, or a video that includesthe same song as the particular video, but that is more suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode.

FIG. 1 shows an example 100 of a generalized schematic diagram of asystem on which the mechanisms for providing video content suitable foraudio-only playback as described herein can be implemented in accordancewith some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated,system 100 can include one or more user devices 110. User devices 110can be local to each other or remote from each other. User devices 110can be connected by one or more communications links 108 to acommunication network 106 that can be linked to a server 102 via acommunications link 104.

System 100 can include one or more servers 102. Server 102 can be anysuitable server or servers for providing access to the mechanismsdescribed herein for providing video content suitable for audio-onlyplayback, such as a processor, a computer, a data processing device, orany suitable combination of such devices. For example, the mechanismsfor providing video content suitable for audio-only playback can bedistributed into multiple backend components and multiple frontendcomponents and/or user interfaces. In a more particular example, backendcomponents, such as mechanisms for receiving requests for one or morecontent items, determining if each of the requested content items issuitable for audio-only playback, providing access to content items,etc., can be performed on one or more servers 102. In another moreparticular example, frontend components, such as presentation of a userinterface, initiating requests for content items, entering a backgroundplayback mode, receiving content items, presenting content items, etc.,can be performed on one or more user devices 110.

In some embodiments, each of user devices 110, and server 102 can be anyof a general purpose device such as a computer or a special purposedevice such as a client, a server, etc. Any of these general or specialpurpose devices can include any suitable components such as a hardwareprocessor (which can be a microprocessor, digital signal processor, acontroller, etc.), memory, communication interfaces, displaycontrollers, input devices, etc. For example, user device 110 can beimplemented as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, awearable computer, a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, a boat, an airplane,or any other suitable vehicle) entertainment system (e.g., a radio, abuilt-in display, etc.), a personal computer, a laptop computer, adigital media receiver, a set-top box, a smart television, a homeentertainment system, a game console, any other suitable computingdevice, or any suitable combination thereof.

Communications network 106 can be any suitable computer network orcombination of such networks including the Internet, an intranet, awide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network,a Wi-Fi network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relaynetwork, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), an intranet, etc. Each of communications links 104 and108 can be any communications links suitable for communicating dataamong user devices 110 and server 102, such as network links, dial-uplinks, wireless links, hard-wired links, any other suitablecommunications links, or any suitable combination of such links. Notethat, in some embodiments, multiple servers 102 can be used to provideaccess to different mechanisms associated with the mechanisms describedherein for providing video content suitable for audio-only playback. Forexample, system 100 can include a content discovery server 102 thatfacilitates discovery of content available from a content platform usingthe mechanisms described herein, a content delivery server 102 thatresponds to requests for the content by causing the requested content tobe transmitted to user device 110 that requested the content, a contentevaluation server 102 that determines whether a particular content itemis suitable for background playback, and/or any other suitable serversfor performing any suitable functions of the mechanisms described hereinand/or any other suitable functions.

FIG. 2 shows an example 200 of hardware that can be used to implementone or more of user devices 110, and servers 102 depicted in FIG. 1 inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.Referring to FIG. 2, user device 110 can include a hardware processor212, a display 214, an input device 216, and memory 218, which can beinterconnected. In some embodiments, memory 218 can include a storagedevice (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) for storing acomputer program for controlling hardware processor 212.

Hardware processor 212 can use the computer program to execute themechanisms described herein for initiating requests for content,entering a background playback mode, presenting content items,presenting a user interface for controlling playback of content itemswhile in background playback mode, sending and receiving data throughcommunications link 108, and/or for performing any other suitable taskassociated with the mechanisms described herein. In some embodiments,hardware processor 212 can send and receive data through communicationslink 108 or any other communication links using, for example, atransmitter, a receiver, a transmitter/receiver, a transceiver, or anyother suitable communication device. Display 214 can include atouchscreen, a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube display, aprojector, a speaker or speakers, and/or any other suitable displayand/or presentation devices. Input device 216 can be a computerkeyboard, a computer mouse, a touchpad, a voice recognition circuit, atouchscreen, and/or any other suitable input device.

Server 102 can include a hardware processor 222, a display 224, an inputdevice 226, and memory 228, which can be interconnected. In someembodiments, memory 228 can include a storage device (such as anon-transitory computer-readable medium) for storing data receivedthrough communications link 104 or through other links. The storagedevice can further include a server program for controlling hardwareprocessor 222. In some embodiments, memory 228 can include informationstored as a result of user activity (e.g., skipping of content inbackground playback mode, input from an owner and/or uploader of acontent item indicating suitability for background playback, etc.), andhardware processor 222 can receive requests for content from userdevices 110 that are in background playback mode and transmit contentthat is suitable for background playback to be presented by user device110 (e.g., as described below in connection with process 300 of FIG. 3).In some embodiments, the server program can cause hardware processor 222to, for example, execute one or more portions of process 300 asdescribed below in connection with FIG. 3.

Hardware processor 222 can use the server program to communicate withuser devices 110 as well as provide access to and/or copies ofmechanisms described herein. It should also be noted that data receivedthrough communications link 104 or any other communications links can bereceived from any suitable source. In some embodiments, hardwareprocessor 222 can send and receive data through communications link 104or any other communications links using, for example, a transmitter, areceiver, a transmitter/receiver, a transceiver, or any other suitablecommunication device. In some embodiments, hardware processor 222 canreceive commands and/or values transmitted by one or more user devices110 and/or one or more users of server 102, such as a user that makeschanges to adjust settings associated with the mechanisms describedherein for providing video content suitable for audio-only playback.Display 224 can include a touchscreen, a flat panel display, a cathoderay tube display, a projector, a speaker or speakers, and/or any othersuitable display and/or presentation devices. Input device 226 can be acomputer keyboard, a computer mouse, a touchpad, a voice recognitioncircuit, a touchscreen, and/or any other suitable input device.

In some embodiments, server 102 can be implemented in one server or canbe distributed as any suitable number of servers. For example, multipleservers 102 can be implemented in various locations to increasereliability and/or increase the speed at which the server cancommunicate with user devices 110. Additionally or alternatively, asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 1, multiple servers 102 can beimplemented to perform different tasks associated with the mechanismsdescribed herein.

Turning to FIG. 3, an example 300 of a process for providing videocontent suitable for audio-only playback is shown in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. At 302, process 300can receive a request for content from a user device. In someembodiments, the request for content can be received using any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques. In some embodiments, a contentitem requested by the user device can include any suitable content andcan be associated with any suitable content source. For example, acontent item can include media content such as video content, audiocontent, text content (e.g., a blog post, a link to a web page and/or aportion of a web page, a news story, an electronic book, a document,etc.), etc., and/or any suitable combination of media content. Asanother example, a content item can include user generated content, suchas a social media post, a micro-blog post, etc., created by a socialconnection of the first user (and/or any other suitable user) which caninclude audio and/or video content. As yet another example, a contentitem can include user generated content that includes media content fromanother source (e.g., as embedded content, as a link to the mediacontent, etc.).

In some embodiments, the request received at 302 can include a requestfor one or more particular content items (e.g., as a request for a webpage and/or content corresponding to the one or more content items). Forexample, the request can include a uniform resource locator (URL)corresponding to a particular content item or content items. As anotherexample, the request can include one or more identifiers that can beused to identify a particular content item or content items. In a moreparticular example, the request for content can be a request formultiple content items, such as a playlist of content items. In anothermore particular example, the request for content can be a request for acontent item that is sent from a group of multiple content items (e.g.,such as a playlist of content items).

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the request can be arequest for one or more content items that satisfy one or more criteriaassociated with the request. For example, the request can be a searchquery associated with one or more keywords (and/or any other suitablecriteria) associated with the search query. As another example, therequest can be a request for recommended content items (e.g., a feed ofcontent items from social connections of a user). In such an example,the recommended content items can be selected by a source of the content(e.g., a video sharing service, a video hosting service, etc.) using anysuitable technique or combination of techniques. In a more particularexample, the recommended content items can be selected by the source ofthe content based on relevance to one or more content items that havepreviously been presented by a user device requesting the recommendedcontent. In another more particular example, a user associated with theuser device requesting the recommended content can be grouped withsimilar users (e.g., based on similar requested content, based onindications that the group of users enjoy similar content, based onindications that the group of users dislike similar content, etc.), andcontent can be recommended based on content that other users in thegroup of similar users have enjoyed. As still another example, therequest can be a request for a next content item in a list withoutspecifying the identity of the content item. In such an example, adevice executing process 300 (and/or any other suitable device) canidentify a next content item using any suitable technique or combinationof techniques.

At 304, process 300 can determine if the user device requesting thecontent is being used in a background playback mode. Process 300 can useany suitable technique or combination of techniques to determine whetherthe user device is in a background playback mode. In some embodiments, auser device can be in a background playback mode when it can bedetermined that the user is likely not paying attention to a visualportion of a content item. For example, a user device can be in abackground playback mode if content from a video content item is beingpresented, but only the audio portion of the content is actually beingpresented to a user. In a more particular example, a user device can bein a background playback mode if audio data included in the videocontent is being presented, but video data included in the video contentitem is not being presented.

In some embodiments, a user device can be in a background playback modeif a user interface of an application being used to present a contentitem is not currently being presented on a display of the user device.For example, if the application has been minimized but continues topresent at least an audio portion of the content, the user device can bein a background playback mode with respect to the application. Asanother example, if the user interface of the application is beingexecuted by the user device, but the user interface of the applicationis not in the foreground (e.g., another user interface is beingpresented that overlaps at least a substantial portion of the userinterface of the application), the user device can be in a backgroundplayback mode with respect to the application. In a more particularexample, if the user interface of the application is presented using afirst tab or window of a browser application and a second tab or windowof the browser application is presented in front of or in lieu of thefirst tab, the user device can be in a background playback mode withrespect to the application in the first tab.

As yet another example, if a user device executing the application hasbeen placed into a locked state and/or any other state in which a visualportion of the content is not presented to a user but an audio portionof the content continues to be presented, the user device can be in abackground playback mode with respect to the application. In a moreparticular example, in some embodiments, a user device can include oneor more sensors (e.g., light detectors, accelerometers, etc.) that candetect whether a display of the user device is obscured or otherwise notbeing viewed by a user. In such examples, the sensors can determine thatthe display of the user device is obscured or otherwise not being viewedby a user when the device is display side down on a surface (e.g., atable or desk), in a pocket or bag, etc.

As still another example, the application can be executed in abackground playback mode in response to a user input placing theapplication into background playback mode. In a more particular example,the application can include a user interface element that, whenselected, causes the application to present content in a backgroundplayback mode.

In some embodiments, process 300 can determine that the user devicerequesting the content at 302 is being used in background playback modeusing any suitable information that is received from the user device.For example, the request for content can be associated with anindication of the status of the user device. In a more particularexample, the indication can be a flag, a tag and/or other indicator thatis transmitted as part of the request and/or that is associated with anaddress at which the request is received (e.g., a request for content ina non-background playback mode can be sent to one address, and a requestfor content in a background playback mode can be sent to a differentaddress). As another example, process 300 can receive an indication ofthe status of the user device independently of the request for content.In such an example, when the user device enters a background playbackmode, the user device can send an indication to a device executingprocess 300 (and/or any other suitable process) that indicates that thedevice is currently operating in a background playback mode, hastransitioned to a background playback mode and/or has transitioned froma background playback mode. As yet another example, process 300 canreceive information from the user device that can be used to inferwhether the application is in a background playback mode. In such anexample, such information can be information related to whether a useris paying attention, how long it has been since a user input wasreceived, etc.

At 306, if process 300 does not determine that the user device is in abackground playback mode (“NO” at 306), process 300 can move to 308. At308, process 300 can cause the requested content to be transmitted tothe user device that requested the content.

Otherwise, if process 300 determines that the user device is in abackground playback mode (“YES” at 306), process 300 can move to 310.

At 310, process 300 can determine if the requested content is suitablefor background playback. Process 300 can use any suitable technique orcombination of techniques to determine if the requested content issuitable for background playback. For example, in some embodiments,process 300 can determine if the requested content is suitable forbackground playback based on an indication associated with the content.In a more particular example, process 300 can determine based on thestate and/or presence of an indicator (e.g., a flag, a tag, etc.)associated with the content indicating the suitability of the contentfor background playback. In such an example, the indicator can bedetermined prior to the request for the content being received from theuser device (e.g., by a server executing process 300, by a differentserver that determines the background playback suitability of contentitems, etc.).

As another example, in some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any othersuitable process, such as process 400 described below in connection withFIG. 4) can determine the suitability of the requested content forbackground playback in response to receiving the request. In someembodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased on one or more factors such as: the amount and/or length ofsilences in audio data of the content item; the amount and/or length ofaudio that includes dialogue but no music; the proportion of users thathave skipped the content item when it is presented in backgroundplayback mode; the presence or absence of an indication that the contentitem is an “official” version of the content included in the contentitem; the overall length of the content item; the audio quality of atleast a portion of the content item; whether the content item is part ofa playlist with other content items that have already been determined tobe suitable for background playback; whether the content item depicts acover of a song; a proportion of a work (e.g., a song) included in thecontent item; and/or any other suitable factor or factors.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on the amount and/or length of silences in audioof the content item. In such embodiments, relatively long periods ofsilence (e.g., more than two seconds, five seconds, etc.) in the contentitem can indicate that the content item is less suitable for backgroundplayback. Additionally, in some embodiments, periods of silence only atthe beginning and/or end can indicate that the content item may besuitable for background playback if the silence at the beginning and/orend were skipped and/or removed. In some embodiments, process 300(and/or any other suitable process) can determine the total proportionof audio of the content item that includes silence. For example, ifprocess 300 (and/or any other suitable process) determines that arelatively large portion of the content item includes silence (e.g., tenpercent, fifteen percent, etc.), process 300 (and/or any other suitableprocess) can determine that the content item is not suitable and/or islikely to be suitable for background playback. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any othersuitable process) can determine the suitability of a content item forbackground playback based at least in part on the amount and/or lengthof audio that includes dialogue but no music (e.g., when the contentitem that is requested is a content item of the song as opposed to, forexample, an audio book, a podcast, a video blog, etc.).

In some embodiments, when a content item is transmitted to a user deviceand/or when a content item is presented by a user device, a portion atthe beginning and/or the end that includes silence or dialogue with nomusic can be automatically skipped over by the user device based onmetadata associated with the content item and/or based on instructionstransmitted to the user device to skip a particular portion of a contentitem. Additionally or alternatively, when a portion is identified as aportion to be skipped (e.g., due to a period of silence at the beginningof a content item), a content server can be instructed to skiptransmission of that portion (e.g., rather than the portion beingskipped by the user device). For example, if a music video includes aportion at the end that has no music, a content server can stopstreaming the music video to a user device in background playback modeupon reaching the end portion.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on the proportion of users that have skipped thecontent item when it is presented in background playback mode. Forexample, process 300 can compare the number and/or proportion of timesthat the content item has been skipped when it was presented in abackground playback mode to the number and/or proportion of times thatthe content item has been skipped when it was presented in anon-background playback mode. As another example, process 300 cancompare the number and/or proportion of times that the content item hasbeen skipped when it was presented in a background playback mode to athreshold number and/or proportion of times that a content item suitablefor background playback is skipped in background playback (e.g., anaverage number and/or proportion of times that content items are skippedin background playback mode).

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on the presence or absence of an indication thatthe content item is an “official” version of the content included in thecontent item. In some embodiments, a content item can be determined (byprocess 300 and/or any other suitable process) to be an official versionif the content item is from a verified source and/or if the content itemis part of a playlist of content items that are all from the samesource. Any suitable technique or combination of techniques can be usedto determine if a content item is from a verified source. Additionally,in some embodiments, a determination of whether a content item is“official” can be performed at any suitable time (e.g., in response toreceiving a request for the content item, prior to receiving a requestfor the content item, etc.), and the request for the content item neednot be generated based on the playlist or related to the playlist inorder for the presence of the content item in the playlist to be used indetermining that the content item is “official.” In some embodiments,whether a content item is an “official” version can be indicated by aflag, tag and/or any other suitable indicator that identifies thecontent item as an “official” version. Additionally or alternatively,process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) can determine that thecontent item is an “official” version as needed, and an indicator maynot be present or required.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on the overall length of the content item. Forexample, in some embodiments, if the content item is less than athreshold length (e.g., ten seconds, twenty seconds, etc.), process 300(and/or any other suitable process) can determine that the content itemis not suitable for background playback. As another example, if thecontent item is less than a first threshold length (e.g., one minute,two minutes, etc.) and/or more than a second threshold length (e.g.,five minutes, ten minutes, etc.), process 300 (and/or any other suitableprocess) can determine the suitability of the content item forbackground playback based on how far the length of the content item isfrom the threshold length.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on the audio quality of the content item. Forexample, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) can determineif the content item meets at least a threshold level of audio quality.As another example, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine if the content item includes static and/or other undesirablenoise.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on whether the content item is part of a playlistwith other content items that have already been determined to besuitable for background playback. For example, process 300 (and/or anyother suitable process) can determine that the presence of other contentitems that have been determined to be suitable for background playbackincreases the likelihood that the content item is suitable forbackground presentation.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on whether the content item depicts a cover of asong. For example, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine that the content item is more likely to be suitable forbackground playback if process 300 (and/or any other suitable process)determines, based on one or more factors, that the content item depictsa cover version of a song. Process 300 (and/or any other suitableprocess) can determine that the content item depicts a cover versionusing any suitable technique or combination of techniques.

In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any other suitable process) candetermine the suitability of a content item for background playbackbased at least in part on a proportion of a work or works (e.g., a songor songs) included in the content item. For example, if the content itemincludes only a relatively short (e.g., ten seconds, twenty seconds,etc.) portion of a work and/or short portions of multiple works, process300 (and/or any other suitable process) can determine that the contentitem is less likely to be suitable for background playback. Process 300(and/or any other suitable process) can determine what proportion of awork is included in a content item using any suitable technique orcombination of techniques.

In some embodiments, the suitability of a content item for backgroundplayback can be determined based on a combination of one or more of thefactors described herein using any suitable technique or combination oftechniques. For example, in some embodiments, various scores can becalculated for a content item based on one or more factors, and thescores can be weighted (and/or normalized) and combined to produce asuitability score. Such a suitability score can be compared to asuitability threshold to determine if the content item is suitable forbackground playback. As another example, in some embodiments, a contentitem can be determined to be unsuitable based on a single factor (e.g.,the length of the content item being below a threshold length)regardless of whether one or more other factors indicate that thecontent item is likely to be suitable for background playback.

In some embodiments, different types of content can be evaluated usingdifferent factors and/or different criteria. For example, in someembodiments, content items that include music, such as music videos,slide shows with music as a background, etc., can be evaluated usingmany of the factors described herein. As another example, content itemsthat include little or no music, and which are determined to beprimarily dialogue (e.g., a video blog, a podcast, an audio book, etc.)can be evaluated using different factors and/or less stringent criteria(e.g., longer silences can be tolerated in a content item that isprimarily dialogue than in a content item that is primarily music). Asyet another example, content items that are advertisements (e.g., withinanother content item, between content items, etc.) can be evaluatedusing different factors. In a more particular example, if anadvertisement includes no dialogue or lyrics, the advertisement may beunsuitable for presentation in background playback mode. As another moreparticular example, the advertisement can be associated with information(e.g., supplied by an advertiser) indicating if the advertisement issuitable for background playback. As yet another more particularexample, the suitability of the advertisement for background playbackcan be determined based on a conversion rate associated with theadvertisement when it is presented in background playback mode. In suchan example, the conversion rate can be compared to a thresholdconversion rate and/or to a conversion rate of the advertisement when itis presented in a non-background playback mode. In some embodiments,when an advertisement is determined not to be suitable for backgroundplayback, a substitute advertisement can be provided in its place.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, presentation ofadvertisements can be inhibited in a background playback mode if a userassociated with a user device that is presenting content in thebackground playback mode is subscribed to a background playback service.

At 312, if process 300 determines that the requested content is suitablefor background playback (“YES” at 312), process 300 can move to 314. At314, process 300 can cause the requested content to be transmitted tothe user device that requested the content. Otherwise, if process 300determines that the requested content it not suitable for backgroundplayback (“NO” at 312), process 300 can move to 316.

At 316, process 300 can cause the requested content to be skipped and/orcan cause replacement content that is suitable to be transmitted to theuser device instead of the requested content. In some embodiments,skipping the requested content can include selecting a next content itemin a list (e.g., a playlist, a list of recommended content, etc.).Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, an indication thatthe requested content has been skipped can be communicated to therequesting user device using any suitable technique or combination oftechniques.

In some embodiments, in cases in which process 300 skips the requestedcontent, process 300 can cause a next content item in a list and/or anyother suitable content item to be transmitted to the requesting userdevice (and/or be presented by the requesting user device). For example,if process 300 determines that a third content item in a playlist is notsuitable for background playback, when the third content item isrequested by a user device, process 300 can cause the fourth contentitem in the playlist to be transmitted to the user device, therebyskipping the third content item.

In some embodiments, if process 300 determines that a content item isnot suitable for background playback, process 300 can cause areplacement content item to be transmitted in response to the request.Such a replacement item can include the same or similar content to therequested content item, but be more suitable for background playback.For example, if a requested content item is a video that includes asong, but the audio quality of the video is poor, process 300 cantransmit a different video that includes the same song, but havingbetter audio quality. In some embodiments, process 300 (and/or any othersuitable process) can identify a replacement content item that includesthe same or similar content using any suitable technique or combinationof techniques. For example, a song can be associated with a contentidentifier based on an audio fingerprint, and the requested content itemcan be replaced with a new content item having the same contentidentifier. As another example, the requested content item can bereplaced with a content item that includes an “official” version of thesong in the requested content item. In some embodiments, process 300(and/or any other suitable process) can determine that the replacementcontent item or next content item is suitable for background playback.

In some embodiments, when a content item that includes one or more songsis presented in a background playback mode, the one or more songs can becredited as being presented, while the visual portion of the contentitem can be inhibited from being credited with being presented. In suchembodiments, this can facilitate discovery of content items that may bemore popular for the audio data in the content item than the video dataof the content item. For example, if a content item includes a slideshow of images with a song included as a soundtrack, the slide show ofimages may not get many views, but in background playback the soundtrackmay be a suitable version of the song for background playback and thusmay be presented at a much higher rate in background playback mode.

FIG. 4 shows an example 400 of a process for determining if a contentitem is suitable for background playback in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. At 402, process 400 candetermine a proportion of the content item that includes no audio and/orthat includes dialogue with no music. Process 400 can use any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques to determine a proportion of thecontent item that includes dialogue and/or only silence (or only noisesuch as static). In some embodiments, if process 400 determines thatthere are significant portions (e.g., longer than one to two seconds)with no audio and/or only dialogue, those portions and their lengths canbe flagged and/or otherwise indicated. In some embodiments, process 400can determine a likelihood that the requested content item is suitablefor background playback based on the number and/or lengths of portionsthat include only dialogue or silence. Additionally or alternatively, insome embodiments, if process 400 determines that the content itemincludes at least a threshold proportion of silence and/or dialogue,process 400 can determine that the content item is not suitable forpresentation in a background playback mode. In some embodiments, silenceand/or dialogue at a beginning and/or an end portion of the content itemcan be less indicative that the content item is not suitable forbackground playback than a portion in the middle that include dialogueor silence.

At 404, process 400 can determine a proportion of users that werepresented with the content item in background playback mode who skippedahead to the next item before the content item was finished beingpresented and/or before at least a substantial portion of the contentitem has been presented. Process 400 can make such a determination usingany suitable technique or combination of techniques, such as techniquesdescribed above in connection with 310 of FIG. 3. In some embodiments,if process 400 determines that more than a threshold proportion of usershave skipped the content item in background playback mode, process 400can determine that the content item is not suitable for backgroundplayback. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, if process400 determines that the proportion of users that skipped the contentitem in background playback mode is at least a threshold amount higherthan the proportion of users that skipped the content item in anon-background playback mode, process 400 can determine that the contentitem is not suitable for background playback. In some embodiments,process 400 can determine the likelihood that the content is suitablefor presentation in background playback mode based on the proportion ofusers in background playback mode that skipped the content item, suchthat when more users have skipped the content item in backgroundplayback mode process 400 determines that the content item is lesslikely to be suitable for background playback.

At 406, process 400 can determine if the content item is an “official”version. As described above in connection with 310 of FIG. 3, whether acontent item includes an “official” version of content can be adetermined using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Insome embodiments, if a content item includes an “official” version ofcontent, process 400 can determine that the content item is suitable forbackground playback. Alternatively, if a content item includes an“official” version of content, process 400 can determine that thecontent item is more likely to be suitable for background playback.

At 408, process 400 can determine if the overall length of the contentis below a threshold length. In some embodiments, if the content item isbelow a threshold length, process 400 can determine that the contentitem is not suitable for background playback. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, process 400 can compare the lengthto one or more thresholds, and based on how far from the threshold thelength of the content is, process 400 can determine a likelihood thatthe content is suitable for background playback. In some embodiments,process 400 can use a combination of techniques. For example, if a videois shorter than twenty seconds, process 400 can determine that the videois not suitable for background playback. In such an example, if thevideo is more than twenty seconds, but less than one minute, process 400can determine the likelihood that the video is suitable for backgroundplayback based on how far below the one minute threshold the video is.

At 410, process 400 can determine if the content item is suitable forbackground playback based on one or more of the factors determined at402-408, and/or any other suitable factors. For example, process 400 canevaluate other factors described in connection 310 of FIG. 3 incombination with the factors described above in connection with 402-408.In some embodiments, process 400 can determine that the content item issuitable for background playback based on a single factor (e.g., becausethe content item includes an “official” version of content) and/or candetermine that the content item is not suitable for background playbackbased on a single factor (e.g., the content item is shorter than athreshold length such as ten seconds). Additionally or alternatively,process 400 can generate a score for one or more of the factors, andcombine the scores using any suitable weight values to generate asuitability score. Process 400 can then determine if the content issuitable based on the value of the suitability score.

If process 400 determines that the content item is suitable forbackground playback (“YES” at 412), process 400 can move to 414.

At 414, process 400 can indicate that the content item is suitable forbackground playback and/or can generate metadata (and/or any othersuitable information) to be used during background playback of thecontent item. In some embodiments, process 400 can indicate that thecontent item is suitable for background playback by setting a flag,changing a value associated with the content item in a database,changing a value in identifying information of the content item used torequest the content item, etc.

In some embodiments, the metadata can indicate portions of the contentthat are to be skipped (e.g., based on those portions including longsilences), a content identifier of a song in the content item (e.g.,which can be used to determine that the content item includes anidentical song, a cover, etc., that is included in a content item thatis not suitable for background playback and may require a replacement).Additionally, the metadata can include any other suitable informationthat can be used when presenting the content item in a backgroundplayback mode. In some embodiments, the metadata can be used by a userdevice that receives the song and/or can be used by a server respondingto a request for content.

In some embodiments, if a content item is suitable for backgroundplayback except for the presence of a portion (or portions) thatincludes only silence or dialogue at the beginning and/or end of thecontent item, process 400 can cause an alternative version of thecontent item to be created that does not include those portions. In suchembodiments, the alternative version can be presented in place of theoriginal version when a user device is in a background playback mode.

Returning to 412, if process 400 determines that the content item is notsuitable for background playback (“NO” at 412), process 400 can move to416.

At 416, process 400 can indicate that the item is not suitable forbackground playback and/or can alert an owner and/or uploader of thecontent item that the content item has been determined to not besuitable for background playback. In some embodiments, process 400 canindicate that the content item is not suitable for background playbackby setting a flag, changing a value associated with the content item ina database, changing a value in identifying information of the contentitem used to request the content item, etc.

In some embodiments, process 400 can generate metadata that can be usedto identify a content item that is to be substituted for the contentitem that is not suitable for background playback. For example, themetadata can include a content identifier of a song in the content itemwhich can be used to identify a content item that includes the same songbut that is more suitable for background playback. As another example,the metadata can include identifying information of a content item thatis to be substituted for the content item that is not suitable forbackground playback. In a more particular example, the identifyinginformation can identify an alternate version of the content and/or acontent item that includes similar if not identical content.

In some embodiments, process 400 can cause an owner and/or uploader ofthe content item that is not suitable for background playback to benotified that the content item has been determined to be not suitablefor background playback. Any suitable technique or combination oftechniques can be used to notify the owner and/or uploader of thecontent item. For example, an email can be sent to an email addressassociated with the owner and/or uploader of the content item. Asanother example, a message can be sent to the owner and/or uploaderusing a messaging function associated with a platform on which thecontent item is available (e.g., a video hosting service, a socialnetwork, etc.). In some embodiments, the notification can includeinformation about why the content item was found to be not suitable forbackground playback and/or can include steps that the owner and/oruploader can take to make the content item more suitable for backgroundplayback. For example, process 400 can cause a message to be sent to thecontent owner and/or uploader indicating that the content item wasdetermined to be not suitable for background playback because there is along silence in the middle of the content item. As another example,process 400 can cause a message to be sent to the content owner and/oruploader indicating that the content item was determined to be notsuitable for background playback because the content item has poor audioquality. Additionally, in some embodiments, when an owner and/oruploader uploads a content item and/or designates a portion of thecontent item as being suitable for background playback, process 400(and/or any other suitable process) can determine if the content item(and/or portion of the content item) is suitable for presentation inbackground playback mode. In such embodiments, if process 400 (and/orany other suitable process) determines that the content item is notsuitable for background playback, process 400 (and/or any other suitableprocess) can notify the owner and/or uploader that the content item isnot suitable for background playback (and/or still not suitable forbackground playback). For example, if an owner and/or uploaderdesignates a portion of the content item as suitable for backgroundplayback, process 400 (and/or any other suitable process) can determinewhether the portion is suitable for background playback. In such anexample, if the designated portion of the content item is still notsuitable for background playback (e.g., based on poor audio quality),process 400 (and/or any other suitable process) can suggest that theowner and/or uploader can upload an alternate version of the contentitem that includes higher quality audio.

In some embodiments, the owner and/or uploader of a content item that isdetermined to be not suitable for background playback can specify one ormore portions of the content item that the owner and/or uploaderbelieves to be suitable for background playback. For example, the ownerand/or uploader can designate a portion of a video that includes a songas being appropriate for background playback, while not designatingintroductory dialogue or a silence at the end as being appropriate forbackground playback (and/or designating those portions as notappropriate for background playback). In cases in which the owner and/oruploader of the content item makes such a designation, the content itemcan be reevaluated to determine if it is suitable for backgroundplayback. For example, a flag indicating that the content item is notsuitable for background playback can be reset such that when the contentitem is requested, the content item is evaluated to determine if it issuitable for background playback.

FIG. 5 shows an example 500 of a data flow that can be used inconjunction with the processes described above in connection with FIG. 3in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. At502, user device 110 can enter a background playback mode. In someembodiments, user device 110 can enter background playback mode usingany suitable technique or combination of techniques and in response toany suitable sensor output, user input, etc. As described above inconnection with 304 of FIG. 3, user device 110 and/or an applicationbeing executed by user device 110 can enter a background playback modewhen a user interface of an application being used to present content isno longer being presented on a display of user device 110. For example,in some embodiments, user device 110 and/or the application beingexecuted by user device 110 can enter background playback mode inresponse to the application being minimized, the user interface of theapplication being toggled to a mini view, user device 110 being locked,the display of user device 110 being deactivated, etc.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, user device 110and/or the application being executed by user device 110 can enterbackground playback mode in response to user device 110 being controlledby another device and/or being connected to another device when adisplay of user device 110 is obscured or turned off. Such anotherdevice can be any suitable device such as a wearable computing device(e.g., a smartwatch, a computing device associated with glasses, etc.),an in-vehicle computing device (e.g., an in-dash vehicle entertainmentsystem), etc.

In some embodiments, user device 110 and/or the application beingexecuted by user device 110 can enter background playback mode inresponse to determining that user device 110 is in a location associatedwith background playback and/or that a user carrying user device 110 islikely in a situation in which background playback is preferred. Forexample, if user device 110 is traveling at a speed that corresponds tonon-motorized transportation (e.g., walking, running, bicycling, etc.),user device 110 and/or the application being executed by user device 110can enter background playback mode by default. As another example, ifuser device 110 is traveling at a speed that corresponds to motorizedtransportation (e.g., riding in a car, a bus, a train, etc.), userdevice 110 and/or the application being executed by user device 110 canenter background playback mode by default.

In some embodiments, when user device 110 and/or the application beingexecuted by user device 110 enters background playback mode, anindication can be presented to a user that user device 110 and/or theapplication is in background playback mode. For example, user device 110can present a message on a home screen (e.g., in cases in which userdevice 110 is a smartphone, tablet, etc.). As another example, userdevice 110 can present an indication in a notification that is presentedin a notification center of user device 110. As yet another example,user device 110 can present an indication in a system tray, a taskbarand/or any other suitable location indicating that user device 110and/or the application being executed by user device 110 is in abackground playback mode.

In some embodiments, when user device 110 is in a situation wherebackground playback is often be entered, a notification can be presentedto the user that content can be presented in background playback mode.Such a notification can be presented using a display of user device 110and/or a display of a connected device (e.g., a wearable computingdevice, an in-vehicle computing device, etc.).

At 504, user device 110 can request content for presentation while inbackground playback mode. In some embodiments, a request for content canbe any suitable request, such as a request for a particular contentitem, a request for one or more content items that meet one or morecriteria, a request for a next content item on a playlist, a request fora recommended item of content, etc. In some embodiments, such a requestcan be sent automatically based on instructions of an application thatis being used to present the content. For example, when a currentcontent item finishes being presented, user device 110 can request anext content item. Such a next content item can be a next content itemin a playlist, a next recommended content item, etc. As another example,when an application for presenting content items in background playbackmode is launched a last content item that was being presented can beautomatically presented and/or a new content item based on a lastcontent item that was being presented (e.g., as a recommendation, aspart of a playlist, etc.) can be automatically presented. Additionallyor alternatively, such a request can be sent in response to one or moreuser inputs. For example, a user can enter a search query for one ormore content items and can select a particular content item or contentitems (e.g., as a playlist) from search results. As another example, auser can provide input to skip to a next content item or to go back to aprevious content item. In some embodiments, such a request can be sentby user device 110 to any suitable destination using any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques, such as by sending a HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP) request to a content server, by sending arequest using an application that is presenting the content inbackground playback mode to a content server, etc. In some embodiments,a request can be associated with an indication that user device 110 isin background playback mode. Additionally or alternatively, anindication that user device 110 is in background playback mode can besent at any suitable time (e.g., when user device 110 enters backgroundplayback mode), periodically, etc., and may not be associated with aparticular request for content.

At 506, server 102 can receive the request for content and/or anindication that the user device is in a background playback mode. Insome embodiments, the request can be received using any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques. In some embodiments, server 102can receive an indication that user device 110 is in background playbackmode at any suitable time and using any suitable technique orcombination of techniques. Additionally, in some embodiments, server 102can store information indicating that user device 110 is in backgroundplayback mode until such time as an indication is received that userdevice 110 is no longer in background playback mode. The indication canbe received in any form, and, in some embodiments, can be informationthat can be used by server 102 to determine that user device 110 is inbackground playback mode (e.g., as described above in connection with304 of FIG. 3), in addition to or in lieu of an explicit indication

At 508, server 102 can determine that user device 110 is in backgroundplayback mode. Server 102 can use any suitable technique or combinationof techniques to determine that user device 110 is in backgroundplayback mode, such as techniques described above in connection with 304of FIG. 3.

At 510, server 102 can determine if the requested content is suitablefor background playback. Server 102 can use any suitable technique orcombination of techniques to determine if the requested content issuitable for background playback, such as techniques described above inconnection with 310 of FIG. 3 and/or process 400 of FIG. 4.

At 512, server 102 can transmit content that is suitable for backgroundplayback to user device 110. In some embodiments, the contenttransmitted by server 102 at 512 can be the requested content.Alternatively, if the requested content is determined to be not suitablefor background playback at 510, server 102 can transmit substituteand/or alternate content (e.g., as described above in connection with316 of FIG. 3 and/or 416 of FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the contentcan be transmitted using any suitable technique or combination oftechniques. For example, the content can be transmitted using techniquesfor streaming content to user device 110. As another example, thecontent can be downloaded to user device 110 and stored. In someembodiments, if the content item to be transmitted is already stored onuser device 110, server 102 can cause the content item to be presentedin lieu of transmitting the content.

At 514, user device 110 can receive the content item in backgroundplayback mode. In some embodiments, user device 110 can use any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques to receive the content item.

At 516, user device 110 can present the content in background playbackmode. In some embodiments, user device 110 can present the receivedcontent in background playback mode using any suitable technique orcombination of techniques. For example, user device 110 can present anaudio portion of the content without presenting a video portion of thecontent. As another example, user device 110 can present informationidentifying content that is being presented (e.g., such as titleinformation, performer information, a thumbnail associated with thecontent item, etc.). In such an example, such identifying informationcan be presented in some user interfaces such as on a lock screen ofuser device 110, in a notification center of user device 110, in a taskbar of user device 110, in a mini view of the application being used topresent the content, etc. In some embodiments, user device 110 canpresent controls for controlling whether to pause the content beingpresented in background playback mode, skip to a next content item, goback to a previous content item, etc., in some user interfaces.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a user device 110 presenting a userinterface of a home screen while in a background playback mode inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Asshown in FIG. 6A, user device 110 can present a home screen 602 that caninclude various user interface elements for example, performing asearch, launching applications, etc. In some embodiments, when anapplication is being executed by user device 110 to present content inbackground playback mode, home screen 602 can include a backgroundplayback indication 604 that indicates that a particular application ispresenting content in background playback mode. In some embodiments,user input selecting background playback indication 604 can cause a userinterface of the application presenting the content to be presented.Additionally, in some embodiments, user input providing a swipinggesture from a top of a display of user device 110 (e.g., as shown byhand 606 and arrow 608) can cause a user interface for a notificationcenter of an operating system of user device 110 to be presented.

FIG. 6B shows an example of user device 110 presenting a user interfaceincluding information identifying content that is currently beingpresented, and information identifying that the user device ispresenting the content in a background playback mode of a particularapplication in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. As shown in FIG. 6B, user device 110 can present one or morenotifications, which can include a first notification which includes athumbnail 652 associated with a content item that is currently beingpresented, descriptive information 654 of the content item that iscurrently being presented and controls 656-660 for controlling playbackby an application that is currently presenting the content in thebackground playback mode. In some embodiments, the notifications canalso include a second notification that includes an icon 662 of theapplication that is currently presenting content in background playbackmode, and information 664 informing a user that application 662 iscurrently presenting content in background playback mode.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can includeserver-side software, client-side software, server-side hardware,client-side hardware, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. Forexample, these mechanisms can encompass one or more web pages or webpage portions (e.g., via any suitable encoding, such as Hyper TextMarkup Language (“HTML”), Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language (“DHTML”),Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), JavaServer Pages (“JSP”), ActiveServer Pages (“ASP”), Cold Fusion, or any other suitable approaches). Asanother example, these mechanisms can encompass a computer program thatcauses a processor (such as hardware processor 212 and/or hardwareprocessor 222) to execute the mechanisms described herein. For instance,these mechanisms can encompass a computer program written in aprogramming language recognizable by user device 110, and/or server 102that is executing the mechanisms (e.g., a program written in aprogramming language, such as, Java, C, Objective-C, C++, C#,JavaScript, Visual Basic, HTML, XML, ColdFusion, any other suitableapproaches, or any suitable combination thereof).

In situations in which the mechanisms described herein collect personalinformation about users, or can make use of personal information, theusers can be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs orfeatures collect user information (e.g., information about content thatis being requested by user device 110, information about requests forcontent from user device 110 stored on a remote device such as server102, etc.), or to control whether and/or how to information about userrequests for content are used. In addition, certain data can be treatedin one or more ways before it is stored or used, so that personalinformation is removed. For example, a user's identity can be treated sothat no personal information can be determined for the user, or a user'sgeographic location can be generalized where location information isobtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that aparticular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user canhave control over how information is collected about the user and usedby a content server.

In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media can be usedfor storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processesdescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, computer readablemedia can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitorycomputer readable media can include media such as magnetic media (suchas hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical media (such as compactdiscs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), semiconductor media(such as flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),etc.), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of anysemblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitabletangible media. As another example, transitory computer readable mediacan include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers,circuits, any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of anysemblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitableintangible media.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the above describedsteps of the processes of FIGS. 3-5 can be executed or performed in anyorder or sequence not limited to the order and sequence shown anddescribed in the figures. Also, some of the above steps of the processesof FIGS. 3-5 can be executed or performed substantially simultaneouslywhere appropriate or in parallel to reduce latency and processing times.Furthermore, it should be noted that FIGS. 3-5 are provided as examplesonly. At least some of the steps shown in these figures may be performedin a different order than represented, performed concurrently, oromitted.

The provision of the examples described herein (as well as clausesphrased as “such as,” “e.g.,” “including,” and the like) should not beinterpreted as limiting the claimed subject matter to the specificexamples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only some ofmany possible aspects. It should also be noted that, as used herein, theterm mechanism can encompass hardware, software, firmware, or anysuitable combination thereof.

Accordingly, methods, systems, and media for providing video contentsuitable for audio-only playback are provided.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in theforegoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of implementation of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which islimited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosedembodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for selecting content to be presented,the method comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, a request,from a user, for a first video content item; determining, using thehardware processor, whether the first video content item is suitable forpresentation in a background playback mode in which audio data of videocontent items is played back and in which video data of the videocontent items is unlikely to be viewed by the user; and in response todetermining that the first video content item is not suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode, setting, using thehardware processor, a background playback mode indicator associated withthe first video content item to indicate that the first video contentitem is not suitable for presentation in the background playback modeand selecting a second video content item in which the backgroundplayback mode indicator associated with the second video content itemindicates that the second video content item is suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the first video content is determined to be suitable forpresentation in the background playback mode based on one or moreproperties of audio data of the first video content item.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising setting a second background playback modeindicator associated with the second video content item as beingsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on oneor more properties of audio data of the second video content item. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the userdevice is currently in the background playback mode prior to determiningwhether the first video content item is suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingautomatically causing the audio data of the second video content item tobe presented by the user device while inhibiting video data of thesecond video content item from being presented by the user device. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first video contentitem is not suitable for presentation in the background playback modecomprises: determining a proportion of audio data of the first videocontent item that does not include music; determining a proportion ofusers that skipped the first video content item when the users werepresented with the first video content item in the background playbackmode; and based on at least the proportion of the audio data of thefirst video content item that does not include music and the proportionof users that skipped the first video content item, determining that thefirst video content item is not suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising,in response to the determining that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode, causing auser associated with the first video content item to be notified thatthe first video content item is not suitable for background playback. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that an endportion of the second video content item includes no music; and causingthe user device to skip presentation of the end portion that includes nomusic.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the first videocontent item is a request for a next video content item in a playlist ofvideo content items, and wherein the second video content item is thenext video content item in the playlist after the first video contentitem.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the background playback modeincludes a video player application executing on a device associatedwith the user in which a user interface for the video player applicationhas been minimized.
 11. A system for selecting content to be presented,the system comprising: a hardware processor that: receives a request fora first video content item from a user device; determines whether thefirst video content item is suitable for presentation in a backgroundplayback mode in which audio data of video content items is played backand in which video data of the video content items is inhibited frombeing played back; and in response to determining that the first videocontent item is not suitable for presentation in the background playbackmode, sets a background playback mode indicator associated with thefirst video content item to indicate that the first video content itemis not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode andselects a second video content item in which the background playbackmode indicator associated with the second video content item indicatesthat the second video content item is suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode; receives a request, from a user, for a firstvideo content item; determines whether the first video content item issuitable for presentation in a background playback mode in which audiodata of video content items is played back and in which video data ofthe video content items is unlikely to be viewed by the user; and inresponse to determining that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode, sets abackground playback mode indicator associated with the first videocontent item to indicate that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode and selects asecond video content item in which the background playback modeindicator associated with the second video content item indicates thatthe second video content item is suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the firstvideo content is determined to be suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode based on one or more properties of audio dataof the first video content item.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein thehardware processor further sets a second background playback modeindicator associated with the second video content item was set as beingsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on oneor more properties of audio data of the second video content item. 14.The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware processor furtherdetermines that the user device is currently in the background playbackmode prior to determining whether the first video content item issuitable for presentation in the background playback mode.
 15. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the hardware processor further automaticallycauses the audio data of the second video content item to be presentedby the user device while inhibiting video data of the second videocontent item from being presented by the user device.
 16. The system ofclaim 11, wherein determining that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode comprises:determining a proportion of audio data of the first video content itemthat does not include music; determining a proportion of users thatskipped the first video content item when the users were presented withthe first video content item in the background playback mode; and basedon at least the proportion of the audio data of the first video contentitem that does not include music and the proportion of users thatskipped the first video content item, determining that the first videocontent item is not suitable for presentation in the background playbackmode.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardware processorfurther, in response to the determining that the first video contentitem is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode,causes a user associated with the first video content item to benotified that the first video content item is not suitable forbackground playback.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the hardwareprocessor further: determines that an end portion of the second videocontent item includes no music; and causes the user device to skippresentation of the end portion that includes no music.
 19. The systemof claim 11, wherein the request for the first video content item is arequest for a next video content item in a playlist of video contentitems, and wherein the second video content item is the next videocontent item in the playlist after the first video content item.
 20. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the background playback mode includes avideo player application executing on a device associated with the userin which a user interface for the video player application has beenminimized.
 21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containingcomputer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform a method for selecting content to bepresented, the method comprising: receiving a request, from a user, fora first video content item; determining whether the first video contentitem is suitable for presentation in a background playback mode in whichaudio data of video content items is played back and in which video dataof the video content items is unlikely to be viewed by the user; and inresponse to determining that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode, setting abackground playback mode indicator associated with the first videocontent item to indicate that the first video content item is notsuitable for presentation in the background playback mode and selectinga second video content item in which the background playback modeindicator associated with the second video content item indicates thatthe second video content item is suitable for presentation in thebackground playback mode.